Introduction

The First Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine in 325 CE, was a monumental event in the history of Christianity. It was here that bishops from across the Christian world convened to unify the Church's teachings and establish a universal canon of law. One of the most interesting and complex of these laws is Canon VI.

The Text of Canon VI

Firstly, it is essential to provide the actual text for reference. As translated by Henry Percival for the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers collection, the text of Canon VI reads:

"Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya and Pentapolis prevail, that the Bishop of Alexandria have jurisdiction in all these, since the like is customary for the Bishop of Rome also. Likewise in Antioch and the other provinces, let the Churches retain their privileges. And this is to be universally understood, that if any one be made bishop without the consent of the Metropolitan, the great Synod has declared that such a man ought not to be a bishop ..."

Contextualizing Canon VI

To fully understand this, we need to delve into the historical context. At this time, the Christian Church was divided into several major districts or 'sees'. Each was presided over by a bishop who had the power to appoint, manage and discipline the bishops within his jurisdiction. However, the extent of these powers and the boundaries of each bishop's jurisdiction were not clearly defined, resulting in frequent disputes.

Interpreting Canon VI

Canon VI attempted to address these issues by defining the jurisdiction of the most important sees. To put it simply, it affirmed the authority of the Bishops of Alexandria and Rome over their respective sees, as well as the traditional rights of other churches. It also established the principle that a new bishop could not be appointed without the consent of their Metropolitan, or regional bishop.

Implications of Canon VI

The Canon VI had an immense impact on the balance of power within the early Church. By recognizing the authority of the Bishops of Alexandria and Rome, it solidified their status as two of the most important leaders in Christendom - a status they would maintain for centuries to come. Furthermore, by establishing the power of Metropolitans, it facilitated a more organized and hierarchical Church structure.